Wayne Rooney has singled out Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella for special praise following his "absolutely incredible" performance in their recent Champions League victory over Barcelona. The Blues secured a dominant 3-0 win against the La Liga giants on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge, with Cucurella playing a pivotal role in stifling Barcelona's young star, Lamine Yamal.
The match was billed as a showdown between two of football's brightest young talents, Chelsea's Estevao and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. However, it was Cucurella who stole the spotlight with a defensive masterclass. An own goal from Jules Kounde gave Chelsea the lead, before Estevao doubled their advantage with a stunning goal, and Liam Delap completed the scoring.
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Rooney lauded Cucurella's performance, stating, "Cucurella was absolutely incredible. I think it's probably the best performance I have seen from a left-back for a very long time". He added, "To do that tonight, what he did, that shows he's a serious player".
Cucurella's performance was not only praised by Rooney but also recognized by UEFA, as he was named the Man of the Match. The Spain international's stats speak volumes about his dominance, having 97 touches, completing 87 percent of his passes, winning 100 percent of his aerial duels, and recording five tackles, two clearances, two interceptions, and four recoveries.
Rooney also suggested that Cucurella's quality in training against players like Estevao has prepared him well. He stated, "Estevao has probably given Cucurella the best lessons in training that he could have in dealing with Lamine Yamal".
Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, will hope Cucurella can replicate this form in their upcoming Premier League clash against Arsenal.
Cucurella, who joined Chelsea from Brighton in 2022, had a slow start to his career in West London but has since become a key member of the first team. After a shaky first season, the 27-year-old has cemented his place as a fan favorite and one of Chelsea's most important players. There were reports that he signed an improved contract, and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Cucurella signed an improved contract back in August and is currently contracted until 2028.
The win against Barcelona has propelled Chelsea to fifth in the Champions League standings. They are also currently second in the Premier League, following three consecutive victories against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Burnley.
